Tracing history: from monastery to town centre

The guided tour begins at the reception of Hotel Adria Ankaran, where you are introduced to the story of the town and the former Benedictine monastery of St. Nicholas, which today lives on as a four-star hotel and an important tourism hub. Over the centuries, Ankaran has combined monastic heritage, coastal life and health tourism development, giving it a distinctive character among Istrian towns.

The walk continues towards the centre of Ankaran, with a stop at the local market and the information board of the Bebler Trail, dedicated to Dr. Aleš Bebler – Primož, an important local historical figure. We then visit the Church of St. Nicholas, one of the oldest landmarks in the area, and the nearby new cemetery. From there, we follow the scenic Olive Trail, passing the house where Dr. Aleš Bebler – Primož once lived and worked, while enjoying the Mediterranean landscape shaped by olive groves.

Among olive trees, the sea and natural landmarks

The route leads towards St. Catherine’s area, a popular seaside spot overlooking the Gulf of Trieste. Here we also visit the renowned Shell Cemetery, a remarkable natural phenomenon where numerous species of shells and molluscs accumulate along the shore, forming a unique coastal deposit. A short stop is dedicated to explaining the formation of this site and its rich biodiversity.

We return to the centre via the educational Salt Meadow trail, which crosses a protected natural area included in the Natura 2000 network. The tour concludes in the Park of Remembrance, by the bust of Dr. Aleš Bebler – Primož, where we summarise the experience and reflect on Ankaran as a place where history, nature and the sea intertwine.

3

30

Easy (Most guests can participate)